The donation allows for all LCPS full-time employees to receive two tickets to attend the game, with a total of 6,400 tickets available. Each ticket is worth $25, giving the donation a possible value of $160,000.

Esparza said it is "very humbling" such a donation would come in and that it is "a blessing" that someone would donate specifically to LCPS educators. He also said he plans to attend the game with his family, including his son who is an NMSU student.

"I have been taking (my son) to the games since he was in a bassinet," Esparza said.

The Central Elementary teacher said he and his family plan to attend all the pregame festivities, and he said he knows of other local educators and community members that are planning to do the same thing.

The Aggies football team became bowl eligible after their 22-17 victory against South Alabama on Dec. 2, and made history when the Arizona Bowl invited them the next day. NMSU will play Utah State for the bowl title in Tucson on Dec. 29.

"I just hope as many people who can attend go," Esparza said. "I think we'll show them what Aggies are all about."

“It's so great to support the Aggies and give something to our faculty who work so hard all year.”

Jo Galvan, spokeswoman for LCPS

Jo Galvan, spokeswoman for LCPS, said it was a surprise when they received a call from the NMSU athletics department letting them know an anonymous benefactor was interested in offering the donation.

"It recognizes the effort of our teachers and staff," Galvan said. "It's a great early Christmas gift."

In order to receive the tickets, the employees have to login with their employee email and a specific pass code, Galvan said. Galvan added that this was the first time something like this has happened.

"It's so great to support the Aggies and give something to our faculty who work so hard all year," Galvan said.

Buy Photo

An Aggie football fan holds up a t-shirt that says it all after the Aggies won on Saturday night.(Photo: Jaime Guzman for the Sun-News)

Tickets on sale at NMSU

New Mexico State is encouraging fans to purchase Arizona Bowl tickets through the Pan Am ticket office. Orders can be placed by visiting the Pan Am ticket office or by calling 575-646-1420.

Tickets can be purchased from Monday, Dec. 18 - Thursday, Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 22 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Any tickets not picked up by Dec. 22 will be available for pick up in Tucson, Arizona.